Concrete form



| I. BRUCE CONCRETE FORM Filed Oct. 21, 1932 July 10, 1934.

1i; ATTORNEY.

Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES GFFlCE This invention relates to forms for use in molding concrete structures, and is more especially concerned with forms for fireproofing steel beams.

} Usually such a fireprooi'lng operation is performed in conjunction with the laying of concrete floor slabs, and the forms provided by this invention may or may not be used in this manner, as desired.

In prior applications I have disclosed sheet metal forms designed for these general purposes, and the present inventionaims further to improve such forms with a view to accommodating a greater variety of steelstructures, adapting them for use under unusual conditions, and making them adjustable for variations in dimensions and directions of the beams with reference to each other, and other practical conditions.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is an angular view of a form structure embodying features of this invention; f

( Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view through the form shown in Fig. 1; V

Fig, 3 is a plan View of a part of the form structure illustrated in Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view on a smaller scale showing a typical condition under which the angular adjustment provided by these forms is useful,

Referring first to Figspland 2, the main structural steel floor beam is illustrated at 2. Operatively associated with this beam is an adjustable sheet metal form shown in substantially the position which it normally occupies preparatory to pouring concrete around the beam. This form comprises two upright side'members 3 and 4, respectively, positioned at opposite sides of the beam and extending-longitudinally thereof. The side member 3 is of angular construction and has a flange 5 projecting outwardly away from the beam at' its uppeiedge and another flange 6 projecting inwardly from its lower edge, similar flanges 7 and 8 being'provided on corresponding partsof theop'posite side member 4. These side members thus form the lateralretaining walls for the-"fireproofi ng concrete. The bottom mem b'ers consistof two'angular'plat'es 9and' 10 secured, respectively, to theside members 3 and 4 byni'eans of bolts l2-which extend through holes formed in the side pieces and in the flanges' of t'lie' bottom plates, the'outer' rr'iarginsof these plates overlapping each other, as clearly shown in the drawing. v V

A series of these forms may be arranged along the beam 2 in overlapping relationship, the number of forms used depending uponthe length of 5 the beam. P'referablythe forms are suspended from the beam itself by means of rods 13 bent around the upper flanges of the beam and provided at their lower ends with. hooks which project through the side members 3. Preferably also a plurality of holes are formed in vertical alinement at suitable distances apart so that the. vertical positions of theforms with reference to the beam 2 may be adjusted, as desired. In addition to I this adjustment vertical series of holes also are provided to take the bolts 12 so thatthe bottom pieces 9 and 10 can be secured in different elevations. ,fIhese two adjustments, together with the fact that the bottom plates overlap, permit the use of one set of ,forms with beams diifering sub- 7 stantially in both vertical and horizontal dimensions, so that the total number of forms required to handle a great .variety of jobs is substantially reduced. Preferably, also, filler pieces. l4,'Fig. 2, which may convenientlybe made of wood, are inserted below the bottom plates 9. and 10 and rest on the lower flanges 6 and 8 where they will act both to support the overlapping portions of the bottom plates against sagging and also assist in holdingthe side plates in the desired spaced relationship.

, For the' purpose of supporting the concrete floor slabs which'usually are poured simultanee ously with the fireproofing of. the beams, each of the sheet' metalside members is equipped with one or more sheet metal brackets 15 constructed toreceive and support one end of 'a joist, beam, or equivalent member 16;. These joists 16 extend transversely to the main beam 2 and their opposite ends are similarly supported by the forms carried by anadjacent beam, as indicated somewhat diagrammatically in Fig.4. The joists, in turn, support the planksl'? whichsustain the concrete floor slabs, one. of which is indicatedat 18 in Fig. 2.. Thevertical dimensions of the/joists .16 should be such that the planks. l'liadjacen't to the forms will slidfclosly .unaer he' upper flanges 5' and] in overlapping relationship to them, as 'shown 'in' Figs. 1 a'n'd2. i

As above indicated, the forms customarily are supported in overlappingfor telescoping relation.- ship, although it frequently is necessary to intro: duce a'short wood section between adjacent. metal sections inorderto provide space for'vertica'l con-L du'its toacco'mmodate' electric cables, pipes, and

or v

the like. While it is preferred to use the overlapping metal bottom plates 9 and 10, it is occasionally found desirable to use a wooden bottom member in place of both of these overlapping plates. This may occur, for example, where a series of bays, all of the same length, are to be made, in which case it may be more convenient to replace the plates 9 and with a plank running the entire length of the bay, this plank being secured in position by nails driven through the holes which take the bolts 12, or by'the flanges 6 and 8. or on filler pieces 14. Such planks can be used over and over. In some cases, also, these planks or bottom members may be supported on rods 24, Fig. 1, which are sometimes used instead of the bolts 12 and which extend through the side members 3 and 4 and have their ends bent to draw these side members firmly against the opposite edges of the bottom member. The bottom plates are customarily slotted, as shown in Fig. 1 at 25, to receive bolts by means of which the overlapping portions are secured together. In some cases, also, it will be found desirable to support the filler pieces 14 on the rods 24 where the latter are used.

In order to provide for the overlapping or telescoping of one set of forms on another, the bottom members are notched at the ends of each form section, as indicated in Fig. 1 at '26, to permit the overlapping side members 3 and t of adjoining sections to slide into place. It may here be pointed out, also, that in thoseforms in which the lower flanges 6 and 8 are used chiefly for stiffening purposes, they may extend outwardly instead of'inwardly. In the latter event they may also be used to support outer form members. t ordinarily is preferable'to bend the lower hook shaped ends of the hanger rods 13 at the'factory so that this work need not be performed on the job, and for the further reason that a better and more uniform hook construction can be made in this manner. For this reason the perforations 'rnade in the members 3 and 4 should consist of slots of sufficient vertical length to receive the hooks.

The rods or hangers 13 usually are not very large,

say for example, five-sixteenths'of an inch in diameter, so that the slots made to receive them do not have sufiicient width to permit the escape" of aggregate. It frequently happens that the beams between which the floors are to be laid are not located in parallel relationship to each other so that the joists 16 extend at various angles to the beams.

In order to provide for this condition the brackets i are pivoted on the form members so that theycan be adjusted into a'great variety of angular relationships to the beams. Each bracket preferably consists of a channel section cut diagonally and so positioned that the web portion lies'in a vertical plane and the flanges 15, Fig. 1, extend horizontally. Each bracket is located immediately below the upper flange5 and rests on an angular ear 20 which is riveted to the side of the form member. It is held in position by a vertical .pivot pin or bolt 21 which extends through the flange 5 of the form member, the flanges 15' of the bracket and the horizontal projecting flange of the ear 20. swung horizontally into any position necessary to accommodate its respective joist 16. At the same time the pivot pin engages the brackets at points spaced 'so far apart verticallythat any tendency of the bracket to twistunder its load effectually prevented. A series 'of holes 22, are I punched through the side and bottom of the bracket to Consequently, each bracket can be.

receive the nails by which the joist is secured to the bracket.

It should be noted that the outer ends of the channel section brackets 15 are cut diagonally and thus permit a relatively wide overlap of the flanges 5 and 7 on the planks 17. This arrangement is of advantage in reducing the amount of planking required and eliminating the cutting and fitting of the planks by allowing them to slide under the flanges. Also, the ears 20, in addition to supporting the brackets 15 further serve to stiffen the side members 3 and 4 and they may be .made of such dimensions as to carry this stiffening action through any desired depth of the side members.

After the concrete has been poured and has set, the nails which secure the joist to the brackets may be drawn, the brackets may be swung out of place to release the joists, and both these members and the planking then may be removed.

Subsequently, the sheet metal forms are taken quickly and with relatively little labor.

The invention thus provides a form construction which can readily be accommodated to a great variety of structural conditions, including not only variations in the dimensions and spacings of the beams, but also their angular relationship to each other. The labor involved both in erecting and stripping the forms is substantially reduced, not only because of the adjustability of the forms, but also because of the fact that they are supported entirely from the beams themselves. Furthermore, by making the upper flanges 5 and 7 of the side members relatively wide, say for example, twelve inches or more, these parts constitute a substantial portion of the floor slab form and thus effect a saving in the planking and labor for this purpose. For example, in short span construction the distance between adjacent beams commonly is from six feet to eight feet, in which event the flanges 5 and '7 form approximately 25% or of the total floor slab supporting area.

While I have herein shown and described a typical embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this disclosure has been made rather by way of explanation than limitation, and that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. A beam form unit comprising a sheet metal form member adapted to extend longitudinally of a beam, a bracket secured to one side of said member for angular adjustment relatively thereto, said bracket being adapted to support one end of a joist extending transversely to said beam, and means forpivotally securing said bracket to said form at points spaced apart vertically by a substantial distance.

2. A beam form unit comprising a sheet metal form member adapted to extend horizontally. at one side of a beam, a bracket at one side of said member having horizontal flanges spaced apart by a substantial vertical distance, a pivot pin extending throughboth of said flanges, and parts adjusted into various angular positions relatively to said form member.

, 3. A beam formunit comprising a sheetlmetal form member adapted to extend horizontally at one side of a beam, said member having a flange projecting outwardly from the upper edge thereof and extending longitudinally along said edge, a bracket mounted immediately below said flange, an ear rigidly secured to said form member below said bracket, and a pivot pin extending through said ear and securing said bracket to said member for angular adjustment relatively thereto.

4. A form structure for molding concrete around horizontal metal beams, comprising a trough-shaped form, means for supporting said form from said beam and in operative relationship thereto; said form comprising two sheet metal side members extending longitudinally of the beam at opposite sides thereof, and a bottom under said beam, together with means for securing said bottom in different elevations with reference to said side members; and a bracket carried by one of said side members and angularly adjustable relatively to the latter side member.

5. A beam form unit comprising a sheet metal form member adapted to extend longitudinally of a beam, a bracket secured to one side of said member for angular adjustment relatively thereto, said bracket being adapted to support one end of a joist extending transversely to said beam, and means for pivotally securing said bracket to said form at points spaced apart vertically by a substantial distance, said bracket being constructed for the releasable attachment thereto of said joist.

6. A beam form unit comprising an angular sheet metal form member adapted to extend longitudinally of a beam, a bracket for supporting an additional horizontal form member in various angular relationships to said sheet metal form, and means for securing said bracket to one side of said sheet metal form member for angular adjustment in a horizontal plane relatively to the latter member.

7. A beam form unit comprising an angular sheet metal form member adapted to extend longitudinally of a beam, a bracket for receiving and partly housing one end of a horizontal joist extending away from said member transversely thereto, and means for securing said bracket to one side of said member for angular adjustment in a horizontal plane relatively to said member.

8. A beam form unit comprising an angular sheet metal form member adapted to extend longitudinally of a beam, and devices at the side of said form member for receiving the ends of a series of horizontal joists and securing them in different angular relationships to said form member.

9. A beam form unit comprising a sheet metal form member adapted to extend longitudinally of a beam, and a U-shaped bracket secured to one side of said member for angular adjustment in a horizontal plane relatively thereto.

10. A beam form unit comprising an angular sheet metal form member adapted to extend longitudinally of a beam, a bracket for supporting one end of a joist extending transversely to said beam, and means for pivotally securing said bracket to one side of said form member at points spaced apart vertically by a substantial distance, whereby said bracket may be adjusted in a horizontal plane to support the end of said joist in difierent angular relationships to said form member, said means including parts rigid with the side member of said form and serving to stiffen the side wall of said form member.

11. A form structure for molding concrete around horizontal metal beams and supporting the concrete floor slabs associated with said beams, comprising a plurality of trough-shaped sheet metal form units each adapted to partly surround the lower side of a beam and to extend longitudinally thereof in position to mold concrete around said beam, means for supporting said units in overlapping relationship to each other, devices at the sides of said units for supporting the ends of the horizontal floor slab supports, and means for securing said devices to the side members of said units for angular adjustment in a horizontal plane, each of said units having a horizontal flange extending outwardly over said devices to overlap a portion of the floor slab supporting form members and forming a substantial portion of the slab form supporting surfaces.

LEO I. BRUCE. 

